Aug. 08--The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development last week awarded $250,000 to the McKeesport Housing Authority to address emergency, safety and security needs in the city's public housing properties.
The Housing Authority will use the funds to purchase and install a video surveillance system and upgrade exterior lighting at the Crawford Village Apartments, according to a release from HUD.
Stephen Bucklew, the authority's executive director, said the cameras will allow for more complete video surveillance of the housing complex, which has 514 one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom units.
Mr. Bucklew said the cameras will be connected to the authority's computer system and will be able to take clear video in the dark.
The complex will have fewer cameras, Mr. Bucklew said, but they'll have higher-quality video and cover a larger area. McKeesport police also will be able to access the video feed and recordings remotely, he said.
McKeesport police Capt. Tim Hanna said the technology of the existing cameras is obsolete, and without the funding from HUD, there would be no money to replace them. He said police have grappled with how to investigate incidents in Crawford Village that happened just outside the current cameras' range, adding that the new cameras will be "a big step up."
Capt. Hanna said the cameras will help the police to keep an eye on the housing complex.
"When we're not there, we can be," he said.
McKeesport is one of 15 public housing authorities from across the U.S. -- but the only one in Pennsylvania -- receiving part of $2.9 million in funding from HUD, according to the release. The funds may be used to install, repair or replace security items such as surveillance cameras, security systems, fencing, lighting, window bars, deadbolt locks and doors.
Annie Siebert: [email protected] or 412-263-1613. Twitter: @AnnieSiebert.
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